Wichita, Kansas, USA
July 28, 2021
Nathan Miller, Limagrain Cereal Seeds Central Plains regional commercial manager
Nathan Miller is quick to answer when you ask him why the wheat industry is special.
“The people,” Miller says with a smile. More than a year on the job as the Central Plains regional commercial manager for Limagrain Cereal Seeds (LCS) hasn’t changed his outlook or dimmed his enthusiasm — quite the opposite. “I keep the farmer in mind with every decision I make. My family and a high percentage of my friends are farmers, so it’s personal, too. Being able to help them grow better wheat and higher yielding wheat that will help their bottom line — that’s pretty special.”
Making the rounds
Miller serves a six-state region, so he spends a lot of time in his truck and on his feet. Every day brings something new.
He talks to farmers about the nuances of their acres — soil type, moisture, weather, crop rotation — and reviews local data. He advises on wheat planting timing, seeding rates and treatment strategies; which varieties will perform best on a field-by-field basis, and where to buy seed. He is in constant communication with local seed dealers and ag retailers to get updates on disease pressures, temperature stress and overall wheat performance, from emergence to harvest. He pores over trial results and considers novel wheat lines with Dr. Marla Barnett, LCS Central Plains senior wheat breeder.
And he walks plots with everyone
“There really isn't a typical day as the regional commercial manager,” laughs Miller. “But every day I wake up trying to figure out how I can help wheat farmers and our partners.”
In Oklahoma, grazing is a major component of wheat programs. Farmers battle low pH soil and are focused on end-use quality, including test weight and protein content. Kansas and Nebraska wheat farmers run the gamut: wheat behind corn, beans or other wheat; acres that need the CoAXium® Wheat Production System and acres that don’t, and varying disease concerns. Weather plays a big role everywhere and differs by territory.
“With the new technology platforms, we have a lot more data, and we're able to be a lot more precise. It’s helped us make better decisions per field versus a blanket farm approach,” explains Miller. “For example, we started with soil samples of zone gridding, and now we can analyze grid samples — data for individual fields — so we can dive in and make specific recommendations.”
So Miller visits and calls every region, making sure he understands what’s going on in the field: “Every field needs specific treatment, so you have to be able to figure out key priorities and needs by area.”
Collaboration breeds innovation
Miller can’t be everywhere at once, so he works closely with local LCS partner dealers and ag retailers to better serve farmers.
“It’s a lot of fun working with those guys, because we’re all striving for the same goal,” asserts Miller. “In previous jobs, I only worked with my co-employees or specific farmers. Now I’m able to work with all four sectors: our partner dealers, ag retailers, crop consultants and farmers. It’s a 360 approach to looking at the data. And, of course, when we're deciding what varieties we want to release, combing over that data is very important for where the varieties work and fit the best.”
Key partnerships are also vital to developing LCS varieties. The LCS research team collaborates with breeding entities across the country and around the world to create new elite genetics. An emphasis on partnership has always been a fundamental pillar for Limagrain around the globe. The dividends earned on these projects end up in the hands of LCS customers and the farmers they serve. Miller relishes being part of the process and pulling back the curtain for customers.
“I brought in a couple of farmers and their kids the other day to show them our research. One of the farmers looked at me and said, ‘I had no idea this is where and how the wheat started — and the amount of different studies LCS conducts.’ He thought that was really cool, and so do I.”
Once varieties make it past breeding and testing at the LCS research station, they go into trialing, which is another comprehensive process. LCS partners with universities and even other wheat genetics companies to generate ratings and agronomic data.
“I wish everyone knew how much research and effort we put into the trials throughout my territory, and all the different factors we look at to provide the best wheats we can,” says Miller. “It’s environmentally impossible to trial for everything, but we try.”
Bringing the wheat
When Miller first heard about the job opening at LCS, he was attending a presentation covering the new CoAXium Wheat Production System. He knew the system’s ability to control rye, downy brome and other grassy weeds was going to be a big deal, particularly for the wheat fields in Kansas where he grew up. He wanted in.
“LCS saw the need and was able to get in early,” enthuses Miller. “We have the most diverse portfolio of CoAXium wheat varieties available in the U.S. today, which has resulted in a strong, market-leading position for our brand. We understand the whole system — wheat genetics, chemistry, soils and stewardship.”
The LCS CoAXium portfolio currently includes LCS Atomic AX, LCS Helix AX, LCS Photon AX and LCS Steel AX, and new lines are being created and tested all the time. Miller also has a deep bench of conventional wheat varieties to serve the targeted needs of farmers, such as grazing potential, protein content, disease tolerance, dryland performance, low pH and regional weather conditions.
“The other great thing with LCS is, we have a portfolio from early to full-season maturities. Having that wide range really benefits farmers, instead of just having a few options,” adds Miller.
The road ahead
Miller is excited about the future of the wheat industry and agriculture as a whole, and he’s a vocal advocate for both as he travels across the country.
“As populations in rural communities continue to decline, it's more important than ever to educate individuals outside of agriculture on wheat — and cattle and other crops — to help them understand where their food comes from, how it’s produced and how we take pride in providing the products that feed us,” explains Miller. “I've always had a passion for explaining what we're doing to produce more with less acres to provide for the needs of the general public. That's where the CoAXium wheat system really thrives, because if we're able to get rid of grassy weeds in a wheat crop, that will really help our elevators and our communities have higher quality wheat, which then has a domino effect to our producers and farmers.”
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